Atmospheric Pressure Glow Discharge Spectroscopy GELP’s experience in Glow Discharges opened the door to the design, characterization and study of the analytical potential of Atmospheric-Pressure Glow Discharges (APGD). In the last years, this kind of glow discharges have revolutionized the ionization sources available in the market. APGD’s are non-expensive, fast and easy-to-use sources due to the low need for sample preparation and the lack of vacuum systems to sustain the discharge. Latest works at GELP in this area have been focused on the study of the species generated through several sources designed in the group, having demonstrated the usefulness of…

Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) has evolved into a well-established technique for both fast qualitative and quantitative elemental mapping, characterized by high lateral resolution (micrometers) and high sensitivity. A pulsed laser (e.g., ns or fs) is employed at a certain repetition rate (typically > 10 Hz), with the sample-mounted stage moving beneath the laser beam, operating in a laser raster mode. The laser-induced aerosol is transported from a sealed ablation chamber to the ICP-MS using a continuous flow of inert gas, such as helium. Wash-out times for conventional low-dispersion laser-ablation…

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy One of the plasma generation procedures handled by the research group is the use of high-intensity pulsed lasers. The LIBS technique, acronym for Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, is based on the analysis of laser-generated plasmas and its origin dates back to the decade of the 1960s, in parallel with the appearance of the first lasers. LIBS is used for the detection and quantification of chemical elements in all types of samples, regardless of their state of aggregation, since its application is common either on solid, liquid and gaseous samples. LIBS represents a versatile technique that implies a low-cost…